both social security and medicare. yesterday, senate majority whip durbin called to keep benefits off the table during the fiscal cliff negotiations. that means focusing only on raising taxes and cutting spending. other democrats though are willing to concede on some programs like medicaid but they are saying no drastic changes and they will only accept small cuts if republicans agree to raise taxes. there is some pressure coming from capitol hill to agree to a grand bargain quickly. mainly so that congress can reach a deal before the end of the year. but if the president does go for a plan that ends up slashing entitlements, he can definitely expect an uprising from the democrats. in addition to the fiscal cliff congress will need to also deal with a debt ceiling. now harry reid is calling to combine the two saying that any budget deal must also include an increase in the country's borrowing powers. the white house's official stance that john boehner will have to raise the debt ceiling but so far president obama is no